Lowlands and Highlands Wilderness Exploration 12 days
The best of Iceland´s highlands and lowlands
BP39 Map
Upon your arrival at Keflavik airport, a meet and greet service is provided by a TOURIS representative who will take you to your accommodation in Reykjavik.
Overnight: Reykjavík
Optional activity:
Reykjavik City Card
Pick up your car in the morning and take the highway to Þingvellir National Park, a unique place from a geological point of view and a place of exceptional beauty. Thingvellir was accepted as a UNESCO world heritage site in 2004. Drive further to the Great Geysir area where the powerful geyser Strokkur erupts every few minutes. From here, drive to the majestic waterfall Gullfoss, one of Icelands most beautiful waterfall. Continue to the impressive volcanic crater Kerið which is 270 meters wide and 55 meters deep. Proceed to the south coast.
Driving distance
250 kilometers
Highlights:
Gullfoss Waterfall and Geysir Hot Springs
Kerið
Þingvellir
Overnight: Hella Area
Head east along the south coast to the waterfall Seljalandsfoss and later to the larger Skógafoss. In the summertime it is possible to walk behind Seljalandsfoss, - this is a quite interesting experience. On March 20th 2010, a volcanic eruption began on Fimmvörðuháls, a mountain ridge between the glaciers, Eyjafjallajökull and Mýrdalsjökull. The eruption on Fimmvörðuháls lasted a couple of weeks. After the eruption came to an end, a new and more powerful eruption started underneath the nearby icecap of Eyjafjallajökull Glacier. This eruption came to an end on 23. May 2010. Continue along the south coast to Dyrhólaey natural reserve and a nesting colony of numerous seabirds in summer. (Dyrhólaey is closed for all traffic during the nesting period until June 25th). Drive to Reynishverfi with beautiful coast, spectacular rock formations and thousands of nesting seabirds. Continue across Mýrdalssandur floodplains and Eldhraun, the most extensive lava field ever to flow on face of Earth in historical times, and to the small village Kirkjubæjarklaustur. Fjaðrárgljúfur is a beautiful canyon worth taking a look at a few km. to the west from Kirkjubæjarklaustur. At Kirkjubæjarklaustur, see Kirkjugólfið (the Church Floor), a protected natural monument just east of the village. Kirkjugólfið is columnar basalt, shaped and eroded by water and wind, only a few minutes’ walk from the road.
Driving distance
200 kilometers
Highlights:
Seljalandsfoss Waterfall
Skógafoss Waterfall and Skógar
Glacier Walk
Snowmobiling on Solheimajokull Glacier
Reynisfjara beach
Dyrhólaey Nature Reserve
Vík town
Fjaðrárgljúfur Canyon
Kirkjubæjarklaustur town
Kirkjugólf Basalt Columns
Overnight: Kirkjubæjarklaustur Area
Recommended optional activity:
Glacier Walk
Snowmobiling on Solheimajokull Glacier
LAVA Centre
Continue from Kirkjubæjarklaustur over Skeidarársandur, vast tracts of black sand desert, washed down by numerous torrential glacial rivers. Vatnajökull, the largest glacier in Europe is to the north from here. In the afternoon of 21. May 2011, a sub-glacial eruption started in the Grímsvötn volcanic system underneath Vatnajökull Glacier. Later the same day, the eruption broke the ice cover of the glacier and started spewing volcanic ash into the air. The amount of ash fall was the greatest close to the village Kirkjubæjarklaustur. The eruption went on for about a week. It ceased on 28. May 2011. Stop at Skaftafell National Park, an oasis wedged between glacier and sand plains. Its natural beauty is a result of favorable weather conditions and the interaction of fire and ice. One of the many interesting hiking trails takes you to Svartifoss, one of Iceland’s most picturesque waterfalls, framed in by beautiful basalt columns that surround it. Continue to the Glacial Lagoon Jökulsarlón, where huge icebergs, true sculptures of nature, broken off Breiðamerkurjökull glacier, float and grind together in the blue waters of the lagoon. An interesting cruise among the icebergs on the Lagoon is available during the summer months. Return to Kirkjubæjarklaustur.
Driving distance
240 kilometers
Highlights:
Skaftafell National Park
Svartifoss waterfall
Jökulsárlón Glacial Lagoon
Overnight: Kirkjubæjarklaustur Area
Recommended optional activity:
Amphibian boat Tour on Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon
The Fjallabak route is one of the most scenic trails in the interior highlands of Iceland, perhaps the most colourful and diversified of the many interesting mountain tracks, rugged colourful landscape of unsurpassed beauty. One of the highlights of the route is Eldgjá, one of the most interesting sights in this part of the country. Here nature has created a unique spectacle splitting mountains and valleys in its course creating a gigantic 30 km long gash into the earth, in some places is up to 600m wide and up to 200m deep. The volcanic fissure is considered to be the greatest of its kind on earth. Only a small part of Eldgjá can be visited by car. Ófærufoss, used to be one of the country´s most beautiful waterfall, framed by a natural bridge, arching over the rivers gorge that collapsed years ago. From Eldgjá, drive along twisting route west along and over a winding rough trail skirting the base of mountains and sometimes through narrow defiles where snow remains long into summer. There is marvellous scenery along the route. Continue to Landmannalaugar, nesting under the high edge of an obsidian lava flow. Here is a wardens station, mountain hut and a camping site. Near the hut is a warm water pool created by the confluence of natural hot water and a coldwater springs which issue within a short distance of one another from underneath the high edge of the obsidian lava above. The scenic interest in the area is tremendous. The mountains here are perhaps the most varied and colourful in Iceland. A hike to nearby Bláhnjúkur, where the visitor has unobstructed view of the surrounding countryside is highly recommended, also to Jökulgil, a long rugged defile with several side canyons and tributary gullies. High up on the slopes above the lava under which the hut nestles is a colourful thermal area, springs emitting sulphurous odours. Leave Landmannalaugar and pass lake Frostastaðavatn, surrounded by colourful mountains and craters. Continue on a trail that proceeds cutting across some relatively recent lava streams and through the Dómadalur valley. Come to Landmannahellir, a cave that runs some distance into a hillside. The track passes through a wide variety of canyons, valleys, over rock ridges and black lava, weird plain of lava rocks surrounded by captivating mountains. The mountain track over Landmannaleið offers some of the finest scenic views available throughout this fascinating region. Off the track there are various trails leading to the volcano Hekla, which is in view on and off to the south of the trail. At the end of the route continue to Hella. On March 20th 2010, a volcanic eruption started on Fimmvörðuháls, a mountain ridge between the glaciers, Eyjafjallajökull and Mýrdalsjökull. The eruption on Fimmvörðuháls lasted a couple of weeks. After this eruption came to an end a new and bigger eruption started underneath the nearby icecap of Eyjafjallajökull Glacier. This eruption came to an end on 23. May 2010.
Driving distance
220 kilometers
Highlights:
Eldgjá Canyon
Landmannalaugar
Lake Frostastaðavatn
Mt. Hekla
Overnight: Hella Area
Continue to the north across the central highlands on the Sprengisandur route. On a fine day, the route over Sprengisandur provides a splendid trip through the magnificent interior of Iceland, with spectacular and far reaching views. The route follows roughly the ancient horse trail that linked southern and northern Iceland. It affords a good cross section of views of the interior highlands. Much of the landscape along it consists of a desert sand, gravel and wind eroded lava beds. In total it has a grandeur of its own, a haunting quality of size and emptiness, above all, the sense of space and freedom, tranquillity and grim beauty. There are some hydro electrical power stations along the route at Vatnsfell, Sigalda and at Hrauneyjar. The track goes west of lake Thorisvatn ( Þórisvatn ) with an area of 70 sq km., it is the second largest lake in Iceland. The lake, on a high elevation and holding an enormous volume of water, posses a great water power potential. All around encircling the horizon are the rugged mountains of the highlands and the sparkling white ice fields, Hofsjökull and Vatnajökull with fretted glaciers. The white of the ice fields looks incredibly vivid against the sombre background all around.. The drive follows the undulations of the land, down into defiles and to the top of high ridges that run near parallel to one another along this stretch. Just before coming to the huts at the entrance to Nýidalur valley, ford Jökulkvísl, sometimes a treacherous river where due care should be observed. Near the mouth of Nýidalur, altitude795m are mountain huts, a wardens station and a campsite.Leaving Nýidalur, the track passes through a wide variety of high country scenery, rock-strewn tracts, gravely plain and patches of eroded lavas, all almost bare of vegetation. In spite of its apparent sameness the trail displays many stark but beautiful views, trackless desert, vast ice fields and near and distant mountains. The landscape is scattered with the debris of ice age glaciers and the evidence of stationary ice sheets that once occupied the plateau may be seen on all sides.The track passes Fjórðungsvatn, a crescent shaped lake under a low mountain ridge. From a low hill, a tall cairn stands to commemorate one of the pioneering spirits of highland travel. Here is the highest elevation of the track, 826 m above sea level. This is the water divide. North of here all rivers and streams drain to the Arctic Ocean. Along the route there are occasional glimpses of Skjálfandafljót, a glacial river which flows in deep bed to the east.Green moss and later grass starts to appear again to soften the starkness of the scene. The altitude drops gradually and the country assumes a more verdant appearance. In the innermost reaches of Bárðardalur the track comes to Íshólsvatn, a small lake between low grassy ridges. At the northern end of lake Íshólsvatn there is a short side fork which runs over intervening hills to an interesting low watrfall in the Skjálfandafljót river around and below the waterfall Aldeyjarfoss, variously twisted and formed basalt columns. The track ends at Mýri farm, the last outpost of habitation to the north in the Bárðardalur valley. Driving north along the valley the landscape becomes progressively more fertile and more inhabited. Stop at the beautiful waterfall Goðafoss, close to Fosshóll. Continue to Húsavík area for overnight.
Driving distance
370 kilometers
Highlights:
Húsavík Town
Goðafoss waterfall
Overnight: Húsavík Area
Leave Húsavík and drive to the north to the Öxarfjörður Bay. Make a detour to Hljóðaklettar, Echo rocks, an extremely beautiful canyon carved by the great glacial river Jökulsá á Fjöllum that takes its source in Vatnajökull, Icelands largest glacier. This area offers many interesting hiking trails to explore the many wonders of the Jökulsárgljúfur National Park. Visit the nearby horse-shoe shaped Ásbyrgi canyon. Continue to the south road to Dettifoss waterfall the mightiest waterfall in Europe, further upstream in Jökulsá á Fjöllum. Continue to the magnificent Lake Mývatn area. Stop at Námaskarð pass where boiling mud pools and flashing colours of the pass merge with lava and ash from the Krafla volcanic system. The Lake Mývatn area is known world wide for the abundance of birdlife and its exceptionally many breeding duck species. The lake's surroundings show great variety in stunning landscapes and amazing geological formations. Stop at Dimmuborgir, the "Dark Castles" and see the pseudocraters near Skútustaðir and many other scenic spots in the area surrounding the lake. The Nature Baths at Mývatn are a great attraction, where one can take a bath in geothermal water under the open sky. Continue to Akureyri area for overnight.
Driving distance
300 kilometers
Highlights:
Hverfell Crater
Lake Mývatn area
Dimmuborgir
Hverfell Crater
Mývatn Nature Baths
Námaskarð
Overnight: Akureyri Area
Overnight:
Mývatn/Húsavík area
Recommended optional activity:
Nature Baths
Drive through the majestic mountains surrounding Öxnadalur valley and across the Öxnadalsheiði pass which leads to the Skagafjordur district. Popular horse riding tours for beginners and experienced riders are available here. In Skagafjörður you will also be able to join some of the best white water rafting in Iceland. Here we recommend a visit to the old turf and stone farm / museum at Glaumbær and the old tini church at Víðimýri.
Driving distance
120 kilometers
Highlights:
Akureyri
Varmahlíð
Glaumbær Folk Museum
Sauðárkrókur Town
Overnight: Northwest area
Recommended optional activity:
Different option:
Explore Tröllaskagi Peninsula. Take road 82 to the north along the western shore of Eyjafjörður Fjord to Dalvík town. A short (15 min.) ferry ride is available several times daily (every 1-2 hours) during summer from Árskógssandur to the Island Hrísey. Hrísey has earned a reputation as a bird watching destination. There are no natural predators on the island, making it an ideal bird sanctuary. Drive further to the north to Ólafsfjörður town. An approximately 11 km new tunnel has recently been opened that cuts driving distance between Siglufjörður and Ólafsfjörður by about 47 km. It enables easy access to the isolated and pretty Héðinsfjörður valley, that in the past used to be the most remote settlement in North Iceland. Due to the remoteness, the valley was abandoned in the middle of the 20th century.
The tunnel is in two sections: Siglufjörður to Héðinsfjörður: 3.7 km and from Héðinfjörður to Ólafsfjörður 6.9 km. Drive to Siglufjörður fishing town, a remotely located fishing town that during the herring boom in early 20th century used to be the most prosperous fishing town in Iceland. Visit the award-winning Siglufjörður Herring Era Museum. It charts the rise and decline of the former "Herring Capital of the World" and the great Herring Adventure that lasted until 1968. Continue on 76 to the south along the shores of Skagafjörður Fjord to Hofsós town and further to Sauðárkrókur.
Driving distance approximately 180 km.
The Icelandic Seal Center at Hvammstangi town is an interesting place to visit. It is a research and exhibition center investigating the lives of seals found in and around Iceland. Around Vatnsnes peninsula you have a unique opportunity to watch both harbour seals and grey seals in their natural habitat. The main watching locations are Svalbarð and at Illugastaðir on the west coast and and at Ósar on the east coast. The Icelandic Seal Center at Hvammstangi gives more information about these locations and how to approach the seals with care. It is usually best to see the selas at low tide since seals usually rest ashore during low tide but feed during high tide. After driving through the fertile farmlands of Húnavatnssýsla County and along the shores of Hrútafjörður Fjord, head for Búðardalur. Visit the Viking Age museum at Eiríksstaðir, the former home of Erik the Red and birthplace of his son Leif Eiriksson, who discovered America around the year 1000. Head for the Snæfellsnes Peninsula towards the charming village of Stykkishólmur.
Driving distance
280 kilometers
Highlights:
Hvítserkur Cliff
Stykkishólmur Town
Overnight: Snæfellsnes Area
Spend the day to explore the countless natural wonders of the Snæfellsnes peninsula that divides the west coast of Iceland into two large bays. Head to the west towards the tip of the peninsula passing the small fishing towns Grundarfjörður, Ólafsvík, Rif and Hellissandur. Much of interesting geological phenomena and historic sites can be found in the Snæfellsjökull National Park, the most recent one in Iceland. Among many places of interest are Dritvík, Djúpalónssandur and Öndverðarnes a former fishing station. Make a short detour to Djúpalónssandur and take a short walk along a marked path to the beach. Drive around the tip of the peninsula at the foot of Snæfellsjökull, a glaciated volcano, the backdrop for the famous novel “The Journey to the Centre of the Earth” written by the famous French author, Jules Verne. Þúfubjarg is a spectacular cliff and a nesting colony of numerous seabirds, only a few minutes’ walk from the road, shortly after passing Lóndrangar. Continue to Arnarstapi and Hellnar to view beautiful and spectacular coast and interesting birdlife. There is an interesting museum at Hellnar. Visit Búðir, a pretty site located on a natural inlet. From Búðir head to the east along the south coast of the peninsula. Seals can often be seen on land or in the water at the farm Ytri Tunga, only a few hundred meters drive from the main road. Head for Borgarnes town and continue to the historic Reykholt and see the hot pool Snorralaug. Stop enroute at Deildartunguhver hot spring, the largest hot spring in Europe. Drive further inland to the beautiful Hraunfossar and Barnafossar Waterfalls. Make the waterfalls a turnaround point and head back to Borgarnes. Return to Reykavík.
Driving distance
430 kilometers
Highlights:
Breiðaförður Bay
Snæfellsjökull Glacier
Djúpalónssandur
Lóndrangar rock formation
Arnarstapi
Hellnar hamlet
Borgarnes town
Reykholt
Deildartunguhver
Hraunfossar
Overnight: Reykjavík
Recommended optional activity:
Unique Adventure Cruise on Breiðafjörður bay
The Settlement Exhibition and The Egil Saga Exhibition
Krauma Baths
Drive to the Blue Lagoon before you end the tour at your hotel in Reykjavík. Enjoy a relaxing bath at the Blue Lagoon in an otherworldly setting where lava and thermal water complement each other to prepare you for your journey home. Filled with mineral-rich waters, the Blue Lagoon has become famous for providing soothing relief for sufferers of skin disorders, as well as for others simply looking for a sensational bathing experience. Soak in the refreshing waters of the lagoon and have a wonderful last unforgettable taste of Iceland that ensures you will be fully relaxed when you leave the country. If you plan to take a bath at the Blue Lagoon, we strongly recommend that you book your ticket in advance. It can be booked at www.bluelagoon.com Return to Reykjavík and drop off the car.
Driving distance
110 kilometers
Highlights:
The Blue Lagoon
Overnight: Reykjavík
Private transfer from the hotel to Keflavik International Airport.
Transmission: Automatic
Seats: 5
Suitcases: 4
Doors: 5
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